Indigenous Ranger and Protected Area programs are proven success stories, not only for the health of our natural heritage but for the lives of Indigenous people. Add your voice to the campaign to grow and secure this success.

Stops you from feeling depressed because you are not doing nothing, stops stress, everything.

Raukkan ranger

Women hold close to half of available casual Indigenous ranger positions

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

We’ve done a lot, but we could do so much more with dedicated IPA and Ranger funding, we could create more jobs, manage more country and create more tourism employment opportunities.

Les Schultz, Ngadju

It’s really important to remember we have active and dynamic people out bush and people are looking for opportunities... It’s that simple and we need more of it.

Scott Gorringe, Mithaka

We have big plans for our country and we know that many more of us can do this Ranger work if we are given the opportunity.

Darren Farmer, Birriliburu and Central Desert Native Title Services

Just 0.2% of spending on Indigenous services by Australian governments is on Indigenous rangers and Indigenous Protected Area programs

Working for Our Country report

IPAs and Indigenous ranger programs are the manifestation of a vision of our Elders to get young people back on country. They knew that this was the way to give our youth strength and pride.

Fred Hunter, Warddeken

Being able to work here has made my life. Coming back to my grass roots, I am proud of what I have done.

Raukkan ranger and elder

In the Warddeken IPA we have created a space for younger generations to engage in meaningful work, to feel valued and to connect with their cultural heritage. The effects of this will be felt through generations.

Fred Hunter, Warddeken

Land Management projects are perhaps the only projects than can holistically deliver social, economic and educational advancement in remote communities as they are intrinsically aligned with the cultural obligations and aspirations of Traditional Owners.

Liam Mulcahy, Spinifex Land Management

Twenty years ago the Arnhem Land Plateau was burning late; burning everything to a crisp every year. The work of the rangers has reintroduced good fire management.

Fred Hunter, Warddeken

More than 67 million hectares are managed by traditional owners through Indigenous Protected Areas - that's an area more than twice the size of the state of Victoria.

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Our rangers are trusted by the community. After the recent cyclone, the rangers were among the first on the ground helping with the cleanup before the emergency people arrived.

George Milaypuma, Crocodile Islands

Non-Indigenous people are learning from us, and our rangers are learning new land management techniques from them.

Fred Hunter, Warddeken

It is a big privilege to be working here. I was born and bred here; it means a lot to put back into the community. That’s what makes us who we are…

Raukkan Natural Resource Management ranger and elder

You can come here unskilled and they’ve cut and polished you by the time you’ve finished—it opens so many doors.

Banbai Indigenous Protected Area ranger, from a Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research paper

We have six part time rangers managing land nearly the size of Tasmania

Les Schultz, Ngadju

We are using the IPA to create tourism opportunities, to protect our country, to work with mining companies to get contracts.

When people go out on-country they say, “I’m here, I know who I am and I know where I come from, and I’m going to take charge of my life,” and in doing so, they’re dealing with the dysfunctional aspects of their lives and their families’ lives. So you’re dealing with the social issues that are going on in town – but you’re dealing with them out on-country – through a social, cultural and spiritual healing process.

Darren Farmer, Martu Translater, Wiluna

Every single kid in my class wants to be a ranger.

Jo, Teacher, RAWA School, Punmu

Getting out on-country means people know who they are, they know where they come from.

Noreena Kadibil, Ranger, Parnngurr

When you look at what’s going on out on-country now – the ranger program and the back to country trips – you couldn’t get it any better than that. Because the mob are not only back on-country, which is very important to us, but they’ve been given a sense of leadership & ownership.

Darren Farmer, Martu translator, Wiluna

I want to be a Ranger and I've got four other blokes in town who would sign up today if we had the money. At the moment, those guys are just on Centrelink.

Andrew Minyardie, KJ Board Member, Bidyadanga

I run mini-ranger classes with the young kids. They make their own ranger t-shirts and mimic what the rangers do, picking up samples.

Sign to add your Voice!

“We have to look after country. That way country look (sic) after us.”

“Country for me is like life. The way we look after country is by protecting our wildlife, such as Dugong …”

“My mum and dad was doing it before I was (sic). Now it’s my turn. Once I finish doing my work for the day, I go back feeling light hearted because I have actually done something to my country to protect it”

Jodie Evans, Li Anthawirryarra Ranger.

17 May 2018. Strong Women on Country Melbourne Launch. SBS News

“We have to look after country. That way country look (sic) after us.”

“Country for me is like life. The way we look after country is by protecting our wildlife, such as Dugong …”

“My mum and dad was doing it before I was (sic). Now it’s my turn. Once I finish doing my work for the day, I go back feeling light hearted because I have actually done something to my country to protect it”

Jodie Evans, Li Anthawirryarra Ranger.

17 May 2018. Strong Women on Country Melbourne Launch. SBS News

“My mother’s grandmother’s country I work on. It makes me feel good working on my grandmother’s land.

“I love my job. I get to learn new things each and every day.

Nathalia Dixon, Li Anthawirryarra Ranger.

17 May 2018. Strong Women on Country Melbourne Launch. SBS News

“My mother’s grandmother’s country I work on. It makes me feel good working on my grandmother’s land.

“I love my job. I get to learn new things each and every day.

Nathalia Dixon, Li Anthawirryarra Ranger.

17 May 2018. Strong Women on Country Melbourne Launch. SBS News

“We’ve built a lot of strength doing the things we’ve never thought we were capable of and it empowers us to keep going and try harder and learn more.

“The women out there, we’ve just got such a bond. We’ve become more like family. These women, some of them have never worked a steady, even part-time, job before and to see that change from them wanting to work more and more.

“We’ve built a lot of strength doing the things we’ve never thought we were capable of and it empowers us to keep going and try harder and learn more.

“The women out there, we’ve just got such a bond. We’ve become more like family. These women, some of them have never worked a steady, even part-time, job before and to see that change from them wanting to work more and more.

“I’ve become healthy, and I’ve become and knowledgeable person of culture and lore but also I’ve learnt about biodiversity and science.”

“The other ranger programs that I know of, in the Northern Territory and Western Australia or in Cape York, they’re pretty strong and I think it’s a big missed opportunity in South Australia. Working on Country programs in South Australia, just have a look at them and what they’re achieved. Let’s all get this right for the future”

Mick Starkey. Former Ranger.

15 January 2018. SA Indigenous Ranger Election Push. ABC News.

“I’ve become healthy, and I’ve become and knowledgeable person of culture and lore but also I’ve learnt about biodiversity and science.”

“The other ranger programs that I know of, in the Northern Territory and Western Australia or in Cape York, they’re pretty strong and I think it’s a big missed opportunity in South Australia. Working on Country programs in South Australia, just have a look at them and what they’re achieved. Let’s all get this right for the future”

Mick Starkey. Former Ranger.

15 January 2018. SA Indigenous Ranger Election Push. ABC News.

“This is important work, it keeps our culture alive, and we look after all our animals,

"All the Elders; they looked after them in the past and it's good to continue on that work they did a couple of hundreds of years ago looking after the land for our future generations."

“People need country and country need people. You know, cause country look after us and we look after country.

“It’s like a fertiliser, we burn this country so that it comes back really good.

Terrah Guymala. Warddeken Land Management Senior Ranger.

30 November 2016. The Project.

“People need country and country need people. You know, cause country look after us and we look after country.

“It’s like a fertiliser, we burn this country so that it comes back really good.

Terrah Guymala. Warddeken Land Management Senior Ranger.

30 November 2016. The Project.

“It’s a lot of work, non-stop. You know people may think we’re just sitting down and happily doing our work but no. We’re on top of it. If you leave the country un-burnt for 10 years someone will come and throw matches and that’s it.

“We want our children to learn both ways. To learn out traditional knowledge and culture, plus we want them to learn about a western kind of education as well.

Dean Yibarbuk. Warddeken Land Management Senior Ranger.

30 November 2016. The Project.

“It’s a lot of work, non-stop. You know people may think we’re just sitting down and happily doing our work but no. We’re on top of it. If you leave the country un-burnt for 10 years someone will come and throw matches and that’s it.

“We want our children to learn both ways. To learn out traditional knowledge and culture, plus we want them to learn about a western kind of education as well.

Dean Yibarbuk. Warddeken Land Management Senior Ranger.

30 November 2016. The Project.

"I remember at one of the first ranger forums we went to, I was the only woman there,"

"Now we're almost half-half with the men. It's not just the ranger program that's been growing, but our women and our communities too."

“We have worked really hard to set up our Indigenous protected area and ranger groups but there’s more to do,” she said.

“Our rangers are maintaining the land, managing threats, spraying weeds, eradicating crazy ants, rescuing turtles, clearing ghost nets and this kind of funding boost could help us get the extra equipment we need to get those jobs done.”

“We have worked really hard to set up our Indigenous protected area and ranger groups but there’s more to do,” she said.

“Our rangers are maintaining the land, managing threats, spraying weeds, eradicating crazy ants, rescuing turtles, clearing ghost nets and this kind of funding boost could help us get the extra equipment we need to get those jobs done.”

“It’s so critical that we continue to protect (country) and keep it strong.

“it provides a whole heap of opportunities for ‘em. Not only getting out on their country and making them feel healthy and strong but like they are contributing to the economy and feel like they are contributing to their family.

“it also creates a bunch of little niece jobs that fit in behind a ranger job.

Scott Gorringe. Mithaka Traditional Owner.

16 April 2016. The Point, NITV

“It’s so critical that we continue to protect (country) and keep it strong.

“it provides a whole heap of opportunities for ‘em. Not only getting out on their country and making them feel healthy and strong but like they are contributing to the economy and feel like they are contributing to their family.

“it also creates a bunch of little niece jobs that fit in behind a ranger job.

Scott Gorringe. Mithaka Traditional Owner.

16 April 2016. The Point, NITV

I'm a ranger for life. This is my favourite job and I always work hard to protect our country and help my community.

“It’s about doing something for yourself and for the future generations. And it’s something that’s been passed on from generation to generation”

“Being a ranger is the best thing you can ever be. This is my dream job. I’ll never give up a ranger job for another job. You can chuck a million dollars at me. I don’t want that. Because my land is more precious to me than anything else”

"A lot of the times I feel sad that my children aren't seeing the stuff that we have been seeing, that I saw as a child,"

“It’s about doing something for yourself and for the future generations. And it’s something that’s been passed on from generation to generation”

“Being a ranger is the best thing you can ever be. This is my dream job. I’ll never give up a ranger job for another job. You can chuck a million dollars at me. I don’t want that. Because my land is more precious to me than anything else”

"A lot of the times I feel sad that my children aren't seeing the stuff that we have been seeing, that I saw as a child,"

"Me and my fellow colleagues from across all the ranger programs in Australia, we’re here together united to lobby and convince all the power brokers in Parliament that this is a program worth investing in and growing on the current investment."

"Me and my fellow colleagues from across all the ranger programs in Australia, we’re here together united to lobby and convince all the power brokers in Parliament that this is a program worth investing in and growing on the current investment."

"IPA is good for my people, the young people. All they're doing is just hanging around in the houses; you know, community all the time, every day. A bit boring: nothing to do, no jobs, no anything. We want it to go forward, make it better for my children."

"IPA is good for my people, the young people. All they're doing is just hanging around in the houses; you know, community all the time, every day. A bit boring: nothing to do, no jobs, no anything. We want it to go forward, make it better for my children."

“You’ll see it’s a very good thing for the benefit of my people and all the visitors to come here,” he said. “We are generous to bring people here, but they must do the right thing. What we require is that they must come through the right channel because the whole area is like our backyard.”

“On top of getting a better grip of what’s happening out on country … you’ve got the social side of things, including more jobs being created on country,” he said.

“You’ll see it’s a very good thing for the benefit of my people and all the visitors to come here,” he said. “We are generous to bring people here, but they must do the right thing. What we require is that they must come through the right channel because the whole area is like our backyard.”

“On top of getting a better grip of what’s happening out on country … you’ve got the social side of things, including more jobs being created on country,” he said.

"The work of women on country makes us all stronger, and through growing Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas and securing them for the long term, we are making an investment in nature, culture and community that we can all be proud of."

"The work of women on country makes us all stronger, and through growing Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas and securing them for the long term, we are making an investment in nature, culture and community that we can all be proud of."

“Women on country means so much more than just jobs. It’s about building communities, it's about strengthening families, it’s about bringing a sense of pride and a sense of worth back to disillusioned groups.”

Debbie Symonds, CEO of the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation

Sydney Launch of the Strong Women on Country Report. 17 August 2018.

National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, Sydney

“Women on country means so much more than just jobs. It’s about building communities, it's about strengthening families, it’s about bringing a sense of pride and a sense of worth back to disillusioned groups.”

Debbie Symonds, CEO of the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation

Sydney Launch of the Strong Women on Country Report. 17 August 2018.

National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, Sydney

“This occasion today has been a fantastic initiative in [not only] acknowledging Indigenous women’s participation but our rights and what we can achieve when we are supported to do the work that we do on country.”

“This occasion today has been a fantastic initiative in [not only] acknowledging Indigenous women’s participation but our rights and what we can achieve when we are supported to do the work that we do on country.”

"It’s not policy or politics, it is culture, it’s existence, it’s who we are now and into the future."

Albert Wiggan, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Celebration of 20 Years of Indigenous Protected Areas. 3 December 2018.

Parliament House, Canberra

"It’s not policy or politics, it is culture, it’s existence, it’s who we are now and into the future."

Albert Wiggan, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Celebration of 20 Years of Indigenous Protected Areas. 3 December 2018.

Parliament House, Canberra

“As rangers, we play an important role, walking in two worlds, and building bridges between them.”

Devena Cox, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Letter to Country Needs People supporters. 26 November 2018.

“As rangers, we play an important role, walking in two worlds, and building bridges between them.”

Devena Cox, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Letter to Country Needs People supporters. 26 November 2018.

“I think the ranger program is really important for my people and our future generations.”

Zynal Cox, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Letter to Country Needs People supporters. 26 November 2018.

“I think the ranger program is really important for my people and our future generations.”

Zynal Cox, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Letter to Country Needs People supporters. 26 November 2018.

“The land is our songline, that’s our mother, they brought us into this world – the land, our country – and it’s important for others to know that IPA is important for every Yolgnu. We want IPA and we want to be recognised and respected.”

“The land is our songline, that’s our mother, they brought us into this world – the land, our country – and it’s important for others to know that IPA is important for every Yolgnu. We want IPA and we want to be recognised and respected.”

“We have to look after country. That way country look (sic) after us.”

“Country for me is like life. The way we look after country is by protecting our wildlife, such as Dugong …”

“My mum and dad was doing it before I was (sic). Now it’s my turn. Once I finish doing my work for the day, I go back feeling light hearted because I have actually done something to my country to protect it”

Jodie Evans, Li Anthawirryarra Ranger.

17 May 2018. Strong Women on Country Melbourne Launch. SBS News

“My mother’s grandmother’s country I work on. It makes me feel good working on my grandmother’s land.

“I love my job. I get to learn new things each and every day.

Nathalia Dixon, Li Anthawirryarra Ranger.

17 May 2018. Strong Women on Country Melbourne Launch. SBS News

“We’ve built a lot of strength doing the things we’ve never thought we were capable of and it empowers us to keep going and try harder and learn more.

“The women out there, we’ve just got such a bond. We’ve become more like family. These women, some of them have never worked a steady, even part-time, job before and to see that change from them wanting to work more and more.

“I’ve become healthy, and I’ve become and knowledgeable person of culture and lore but also I’ve learnt about biodiversity and science.”

“The other ranger programs that I know of, in the Northern Territory and Western Australia or in Cape York, they’re pretty strong and I think it’s a big missed opportunity in South Australia. Working on Country programs in South Australia, just have a look at them and what they’re achieved. Let’s all get this right for the future”

Mick Starkey. Former Ranger.

15 January 2018. SA Indigenous Ranger Election Push. ABC News.

“This is important work, it keeps our culture alive, and we look after all our animals,

"All the Elders; they looked after them in the past and it's good to continue on that work they did a couple of hundreds of years ago looking after the land for our future generations."

“People need country and country need people. You know, cause country look after us and we look after country.

“It’s like a fertiliser, we burn this country so that it comes back really good.

Terrah Guymala. Warddeken Land Management Senior Ranger.

30 November 2016. The Project.

“It’s a lot of work, non-stop. You know people may think we’re just sitting down and happily doing our work but no. We’re on top of it. If you leave the country un-burnt for 10 years someone will come and throw matches and that’s it.

“We want our children to learn both ways. To learn out traditional knowledge and culture, plus we want them to learn about a western kind of education as well.

Dean Yibarbuk. Warddeken Land Management Senior Ranger.

30 November 2016. The Project.

"I remember at one of the first ranger forums we went to, I was the only woman there,"

"Now we're almost half-half with the men. It's not just the ranger program that's been growing, but our women and our communities too."

“We have worked really hard to set up our Indigenous protected area and ranger groups but there’s more to do,” she said.

“Our rangers are maintaining the land, managing threats, spraying weeds, eradicating crazy ants, rescuing turtles, clearing ghost nets and this kind of funding boost could help us get the extra equipment we need to get those jobs done.”

“It’s so critical that we continue to protect (country) and keep it strong.

“it provides a whole heap of opportunities for ‘em. Not only getting out on their country and making them feel healthy and strong but like they are contributing to the economy and feel like they are contributing to their family.

“it also creates a bunch of little niece jobs that fit in behind a ranger job.

Scott Gorringe. Mithaka Traditional Owner.

16 April 2016. The Point, NITV

I'm a ranger for life. This is my favourite job and I always work hard to protect our country and help my community.

“It’s about doing something for yourself and for the future generations. And it’s something that’s been passed on from generation to generation”

“Being a ranger is the best thing you can ever be. This is my dream job. I’ll never give up a ranger job for another job. You can chuck a million dollars at me. I don’t want that. Because my land is more precious to me than anything else”

"A lot of the times I feel sad that my children aren't seeing the stuff that we have been seeing, that I saw as a child,"

"Me and my fellow colleagues from across all the ranger programs in Australia, we’re here together united to lobby and convince all the power brokers in Parliament that this is a program worth investing in and growing on the current investment."

"IPA is good for my people, the young people. All they're doing is just hanging around in the houses; you know, community all the time, every day. A bit boring: nothing to do, no jobs, no anything. We want it to go forward, make it better for my children."

“You’ll see it’s a very good thing for the benefit of my people and all the visitors to come here,” he said. “We are generous to bring people here, but they must do the right thing. What we require is that they must come through the right channel because the whole area is like our backyard.”

“On top of getting a better grip of what’s happening out on country … you’ve got the social side of things, including more jobs being created on country,” he said.

"The work of women on country makes us all stronger, and through growing Indigenous ranger jobs and Indigenous Protected Areas and securing them for the long term, we are making an investment in nature, culture and community that we can all be proud of."

“Women on country means so much more than just jobs. It’s about building communities, it's about strengthening families, it’s about bringing a sense of pride and a sense of worth back to disillusioned groups.”

Debbie Symonds, CEO of the Olkola Aboriginal Corporation

Sydney Launch of the Strong Women on Country Report. 17 August 2018.

National Centre for Indigenous Excellence, Sydney

“This occasion today has been a fantastic initiative in [not only] acknowledging Indigenous women’s participation but our rights and what we can achieve when we are supported to do the work that we do on country.”

"It’s not policy or politics, it is culture, it’s existence, it’s who we are now and into the future."

Albert Wiggan, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Celebration of 20 Years of Indigenous Protected Areas. 3 December 2018.

Parliament House, Canberra

“As rangers, we play an important role, walking in two worlds, and building bridges between them.”

Devena Cox, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Letter to Country Needs People supporters. 26 November 2018.

“I think the ranger program is really important for my people and our future generations.”

Zynal Cox, Nyul Nyul Ranger

Letter to Country Needs People supporters. 26 November 2018.

“The land is our songline, that’s our mother, they brought us into this world – the land, our country – and it’s important for others to know that IPA is important for every Yolgnu. We want IPA and we want to be recognised and respected.”

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